Boy Scout Troop 12

Woman’s club offers giant flea market

March 1, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Donations are still rolling in for one of the Tampa Bay area’s most popular flea markets.

The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club flea market is scheduled for March 3 and March 4 at the Historic Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Events hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on both days.

Club members have been gathering and sorting thousands of donated goods since Feb. 13.

Locals have provided a wide range of items, including household and children’s goods, antiques and collectibles, sports equipment and gardening tools.

Higher-end products, such as silver and crystal, also will be sold at the market.

Clothing items, as usual, are in high supply.

They’ll also be in high demand, said Pat Serio, one of the flea market’s organizers.

“Clothing is so hugely popular, because most items are $1 per piece, with the exception of a few boutique items,” she said.

“People walk out with armfuls,” Serio said.

Many flea market items, Serio said, are in the $1 to $5 range.

Other goods — like children’s toys and crafts — can be had for a quarter.

Shoppers, too, can often find rare “treasures” — like depression-era glasses — at relatively good prices.

“We’re our own best donors. We give the bulk of this stuff, and we solicit all of our friends,” Serio said. “We love donating, and we love shopping.”

The flea market has been a staple in Lutz for more than 35 years, organizers say. It had modest beginnings, with “just a few tables” at the Lutz Train Depot.

In a short time, however, the event outgrew that location.

Now, thousands flock to the Historic Old Lutz School during the two-day run.

It is now the club’s second-largest fundraiser, behind the annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show each December.

Sales from the flea market go toward the club’s college scholarship fund.

At the end of the event, leftover items will be donated to local organizations, including Goodwill and Salvation Army, local nursing homes, veterans’ charities and local libraries.

Put simply: “Nothing goes to waste,” Serio said.

Besides the woman’s club, groups such as Boy Scout Troop 12 and the University of South Florida’s Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority chapter pitch in to help with the event.

About 80 other volunteers also help, including club members’ husbands and children.

Last year, the flea market was the organization’s primary fundraiser after the arts show was cancelled due to a burgeoning sinkhole in Lake Park.

That led to a budget shortfall — which the organization is still recovering from, Serio said.

Even so, the burden for a banner showing is lesser compared to 2016.

“There isn’t so much stress about how much money we’re going to make to fill the coffers,” Serio said. “But, there’s always stress involved in coordinating, and there’s a lot of chaos involved…”

Still, members find a way to have a fun experience once the flea market commences.

“We all enjoy it,” Serio said. “We like to think of ourselves as the ‘Chiseler’s North.’”

Karin D’Amico, the club’s president, acknowledged the event takes “a lot of work.” However, the immense community support makes it worthwhile, she said.

“We have carload after carload of people …dropping off stuff,” D’Amico said. “That’s what I think is (special) — the community coming out for us, and you can really feel the support…”

Anyone who wishes to donate items for the flea market still has time. Donations will be accepted until March 1. All donations should be in clean and in working order. Large appliances and sleeper sofas cannot be accepted.

To find out more about making a donation, call (813) 948-4752.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club Flea Market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and March 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information, call (813) 948-4752.

Published March 1, 2017

Lutz celebrates Independence Day

July 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Lutz was awash in red, white and blue, during the community’s Independence Day celebration.

Tributes to Old Glory showed up on T-shirts, hats, shorts and skirts. There were patriotic socks and headbands, too.

Runners took part in a 5K or a one-mile fun run, and bakers showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest.

From left, Debbie Sumbury, of Lutz, and her granddaughters, 2-year-old Amelia Donovan, and 3-year-old Stella Donovan, beckon for beads along the Lutz Fourth of July parade route. Hundreds turned out for the event, despite the blazing heat. (Fred Bellet/Photo) — From left, Debbie Sumbury, of Lutz, and her granddaughters, 2-year-old Amelia Donovan, and 3-year-old Stella Donovan, beckon for beads along the Lutz Fourth of July parade route. Hundreds turned out for the event, despite the blazing heat.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Entries in the baking contest included cakes from 10-year-old Maddox Foreman, a veteran competitor and his 3-year-old sibling, Raider, entering for the first time. There was a Samoa cookie cake, too, baked to honor the late Ron Gashler.

Other points of interest included a flag raising, conducted by members of Boy Scout Troop 12, with a quartet of North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol marching in precision —lending a dignified air. Cristine Hundley added to the day’s patriotic theme through her rendition of The National Anthem. After the parade, Greg Gilbert was sworn in as the new Lutz Guv’na.

The real stars at this celebration were the people.

They put up with sweltering heat to march or ride in the parade, or lined the route to cheer them on and to chase after beads, candy and other swag tossed generously to the crowd.

They were there to enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Lutz, a community that takes the word “community” seriously — especially on Independence Day.

Published July 13, 2016

Local groups benefit from Guv’na cash grab

October 7, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The candidates running for Lutz Guv’na spent months with their hands out.

The person who raised the most money was declared the winner of the ceremonial title, so they were all focused on filling their coffers throughout their campaigns.

Over the Fourth of July weekend, Jennifer Rankin was declared the winner and earned the Lutz Guv’na sash. But, the real winners were announced Oct. 1 at Learning Gate Community School, 16215 Hanna Road in Lutz.

After raising more than $18,000 over the course of the campaign, it was time to hand that money out to nearly 20 worthy organizations.

As candidates, KarenSue Molis, left, and Guv'na Jennifer Rankin helped raise more than $18,000 for area groups. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — As candidates, KarenSue Molis, left, and Guv’na Jennifer Rankin helped raise more than $18,000 for area groups.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

The funds raised went to local groups, and last week’s event allowed each of them to pick up a check to help them with their goals.

For the Lutz Patriots and Support the Troops, that means more care packages going to soldiers overseas.

For the Old Lutz School, it means continuing improvements, which include remodeled bathrooms and a new, lighted flagpole.

And, for the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, it means taking all of their money and helping out other local groups.

“We always give it away,” said Kay Taylor, president of the GFWC Lutz/Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. This year the club’s Guv’na money went to Boy Scout Troop 12 and the Old Lutz School. The club spends much of the year raising its own funds to help others.

Being part of the Lutz Guv’na race is special for the group and for Taylor, who was a previous candidate herself.

“It’s a feeling of community. It’s a wonderful thing. You’re just thankful to be part of it,” she said.

The club runs its own Guv’na candidate each year, and even though KarenSue Molis didn’t win the title, she was all smiles at the distribution ceremony and happy to have been involved in the fundraising process.

“It was really fun,” she said. “The camaraderie was great.”

A portion of her funds will go to groups such as the Lutz Branch Library, the Old Lutz School, and Canine Companions, which provides assistance dogs to people in need.

Attendees such as Bruce Hockensmith of the Lutz Patriots appreciate the funds they received.

“It’s been phenomenal, the support that we continue to get,” he said.

The Lutz Patriots works with Support the Troops, and the money will go toward postage costs to send the care packages across the globe, which can run around $55 each. It’s a lot of money, but Hockensmith said the feeling soldiers get when they see a package — and know they haven’t been forgotten — is worth every penny.

And, they remember where it came from, too.

“There are troops all around the globe that have heard the Lutz name,” he said.

For Rankin, winning the title meant handing out the money, shaking hands and taking photos with grateful recipients. It also meant, like all candidates, designating 10 percent of what she raised to the cause of her choice.

Rankin picked the Steinbrenner High School cheerleaders, noting her stepdaughter was a part of the group when she attended the school.

This was Rankin’s way of giving back to them, and helping them fund a trip to their national competition if they qualify.

The third candidate, Cheryl Lynn Ayres, wasn’t at the event, but it was announced that Boy Scout and Cub Scout Troop 212 would be the recipient of her designated funds.

Now that the money has been distributed, the reigning Guv’na will go about her ceremonial duties, which includes attending events, cutting ribbons and spreading Guv’na good cheer when she gets an invite from a local group.

And, Rankin hopes it will be a busy year.

“I am so excited. I hope that people ask me to come to stuff. I hope they invite me to be there to represent what we all worked hard to achieve by raising money,” she said.

Published October 7, 2015